Tim Walz hopes it rains on Trump's military parade: 'I'm just going to confess'
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., is hoping for rain on Saturday during President Donald Trump's military parade.
During a "What's Next: Conversations on the Path Forward" event hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), Walz told CEO Neera Tanden that he had never hoped for rain so much in his life.
"I'm just going to confess to it," Walz said. "It might get me in trouble. Whatever. I have never so hoped for rain in my life."
Trump is hosting a massive Flag Day military parade on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to gather in the nation's capital to witness the historic parade, which also coincides with the president's 79th birthday.
Tim Walz Floats China As 'Neutral Actor' With 'Moral Authority' To Negotiate Middle East Peace
According to the FOX Forecast Center's Risk Of Weather Impact (Rowi) assessment, there is a medium risk of inclement weather in the nation's capital, with showers and thunderstorms expected throughout part of the evening.
Read On The Fox News App
And Walz is hoping for that perfect storm.
Protesters Expected To Converge On Dc, Neighboring Cities Ahead Of Trump's Military Parade
The Democrat, who rose to the national stage as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate during her brief 2024 presidential campaign, criticized Trump along his usual attack lines on Friday.
Walz said Trump is "incompetent at governing," and America is in a "dangerous time" under Trump's leadership, which the Minnesota governor said is "marching towards authoritarianism" following the chaotic incident in which authorities forcibly removed Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference Thursday.
The Democrat confirmed on Friday that he will be speaking at a "No Kings" protest in St. Paul, Minn., this Saturday during Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C.
"Somehow this got tied to billionaires in China funding this or whatever," Walz said Friday. "I'm like, these are like people in St. Paul that just do protests and stuff. That's what they do. They're feeling it, and they organized it. I think going and making that case, it is a good counter."
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., grilled Walz about attending the protest during a House Oversight Committee hearing with his fellow "sanctuary governors" on Capitol Hill Thursday.
Luna said DHS discovered that China considered Walz a "prime target for influence operations."
"You are working with, and going to be speaking at, an organization and rally that is not just funded by Christy Walton, the heiress of Walmart, but also has ties to the Chinese Progressive Association largely funding it, that actually brags on their website that they are pro-Maoist," Luna said.
But Walz dismissed Luna's allegations, doubling down that Trump's military parade "just looks wrong, feels wrong."
"I think I'm going to go be with a few thousand folks who kind of have the tradition that there is a separation there, that we don't need this. This is not Pyongyang on a Saturday," Walz said, before admitting he was hoping for rain.
Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea, which is a communist, totalitarian dictatorship. Walz has joined many Democrats, including those planning to protest on Saturday, who have criticized Trump's military parade, drawing comparisons to China's and North Korea's military parades.
Trump's military parade on Saturday comes amid escalated conflict in the Middle East, after Israel launched air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders, and Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israeli territory.
Walz was ridiculed earlier this year for celebrating Tesla's stock drop as protests raged on, rejecting Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"On the iPhone, they've got that little stock app. I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day — $225 and dropping," Walz said at the time.
FOX Weather's Raymond Sanchez contributed to this report.Original article source: Tim Walz hopes it rains on Trump's military parade: 'I'm just going to confess'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
12 minutes ago
- The Hill
Trump says it's ‘about time' US celebrates victories at military parade
President Trump on Saturday touted the might of the U.S. Army at the end of a two-hour parade to mark the 250th anniversary of the branch, framing it as a celebration of the country's military successes. 'Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did, too,' Trump said in prepared remarks. 'That's what we're doing tonight.' Saturday's event came amid turmoil at home and on the world stage, but there was no mention from Trump of outside events. He spoke for about eight minutes, focusing on the Army's origins and several specific instances of bravery from soldiers in wars throughout American history. 'Watching this magnificent display, our souls are filled with gratitude for every generation of warriors who have worn the uniform back to the very beginning,' Trump said. Trump watched the parade from a viewing stand on Constitution Avenue. Other officials sitting with the president included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and first lady Melania Trump. At the conclusion of his remarks, Trump and the first lady were presented with a folded American flag from a service member. Vance, who served in the Marines, also delivered brief introductory remarks before Trump, nodding to the MAGA movement's anti-interventionist bent. 'To our soldiers, we're so proud of you. And let me tell you, the way that we honor and respect you, number one, we never ask you to go to war unless you absolutely have to,' Vance said. 'And number two, when we do ask you to go to war, we give you the weapons and the support needed to kick the hell out of the enemy and come back home safely,' he added. The president looked on as various military vehicles rolled down the street, including Sherman tanks and Howitzers. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted onto the Ellipse near the parade route, landing near Trump's riser. Various groups of soldiers marched along the street, with Trump standing to salute at multiple points. The parade had been clouded by forecasts of stormy weather on Saturday evening. And while a few raindrops fell, severe storms held off and allowed the event to proceed mostly as planned with thousands of onlookers gathered along the parade route. The event was ostensibly to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary, but it in recent months became intertwined with Trump himself, especially given it fell on his 79th birthday. Critics questioned the sizable price tag and likened the display to similar events in authoritarian nations like Russia and North Korea. Anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations took place across the country, with thousands of protesters showing up in major cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and elsewhere. Hours before the parade began, the nation was rocked by political violence after former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were killed in what Gov. Tim Walz (D) called a 'politically motivated' attack. And tensions were rising in the Middle East after Israel and Iran in recent days traded missile strikes. Trump did not mention the conflict abroad, the violence in Minnesota or the protests during his remarks on Saturday evening. Earlier in the day he said he was briefed on the shooting in Minnesota and said such 'horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.'
CBS News
18 minutes ago
- CBS News
Police disperse "No Kings" protesters in downtown L.A.
Los Angeles police issued a dispersal order on Saturday afternoon for "No Kings" protesters after the crowd allegedly started throwing objects near the downtown federal building, according to law enforcement. While the demonstration was largely peaceful throughout the day, Los Angeles Police Department officers said on a post to X, "people in the crowd are throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects" when the march passed by the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building. In a later post, the LAPD said that "commercial grade fireworks" were thrown at officers. Commercial grade fireworks are being thrown at officers Temple and Main St. — LAPD Central Division (@LAPDCentral) June 15, 2025 Protesters interviewed by CBS News Los Angeles blamed the escalation on the police. "They came in super, super hard and aggressive, and that's what created all of this," one protester said. "No warning. They just masked up ... It's upsetting because how are people supposed to feel like their voices are being heard when they're being violently put down by the state itself." Protesters face off with police outside of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trump's immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images Police deployed smoke and flash-bangs while moving the crowd away from the federal building. Aerial footage shows officers detaining several people. CBS News Los Angeles reporter Zach Boetto and Tom Wait said protesters continued to throw objects at law enforcement after being pushed to the heart of downtown L.A., near the Civic Center. Police advised people to avoid the area in a post on X. The LAPD also closed all 101 Freeway on ramps and off ramps between Alameda Street and the 110 Freeway. No Kings Day of Defiance protests Tens of thousands of people participated in dozens of "No Kings" protests in downtown Los Angeles and throughout Southern California to join a coalition of activists across the country demonstrating "in defiance" of President Trump. "No Kings Day of Defiance," a nationwide series of protests scheduled for Saturday, was planned as a counter to the military parade taking place in Washington, D.C., on the same day. That parade is being held in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which coincides with Mr. Trump's 79th birthday. "On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," organizers said. "A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." Hundreds of these protests are planned across the country, including in all major U.S. cities. They were scheduled before the ICE protests throughout L.A. that began last weekend. During a news conference on Saturday morning, Mayor Karen Bass pleaded with protesters to keep things nonviolent. "Please, please do not give the [Trump] administration an excuse to intervene," Bass said. "Let's make sure to show the world the best of Los Angeles and our country." The organizers of the event said the nationwide demonstration were peaceful. "Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings," the event's organizers said in a statement. The Los Angeles Police Department repeatedly called the downtown L.A. march peaceful in social media posts. What's happening in Los Angeles Dozens of marches were scheduled in Southern California alone, each with its own size and scope. Many are scheduled in the L.A. area, including Santa Monica, Glendale, Long Beach and West Hollywood. Dozens of protests are planned across Southern California on Saturday in response to the military parade being held in Washington D.C. No Kings website Organizers said the gathering in downtown L.A. was expected to draw as many as 25,000. It was scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but many protesters stayed longer. Law enforcement was expected to have a large presence. Since last weekend, troops with the National Guard have been deployed to L.A., where they've been ordered to protect federal buildings and personnel. On Friday, about 200 U.S. Marines were deployed for the same purpose. Thousands gathered outside of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday morning to protest President Trump at the "No Kings" gathering. KCAL News Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said during the Saturday morning news conference that the LAPD was prepared to handle the protests. The downtown curfew instated by Mayor Bass on Tuesday remains in effect. Starting at 8 p.m., no one is allowed within a one-square-mile zone within downtown L.A. until 6 a.m. Sunday, with some exceptions. Bass said Saturday morning that hundreds of additional law enforcement officers will be in place to enforce the curfew following the "No Kings" protest. Mounting tensions At around 7 a.m. in downtown, CBS News Los Angeles crews spotted several businesses boarding up storefronts in preparation for the protest. "Nonviolent action" is listed as a core principle of the "No Kings" protests, according to the organizers. Starting last week, protests against immigration enforcement operations broke out throughout L.A., leading to a national controversy as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Trump sparred over the response. Newsom filed a lawsuit against Mr. Trump on Monday, asking a judge to "prevent the use of federalized National Guard and active duty Marines for law enforcement purposes on the streets of a civilian city." On Tuesday, a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order and instead scheduled a court hearing for Thursday, giving Mr. Trump's legal team time to respond. Mr. Trump has defended the decision to send military forces to L.A. by citing "incompetence" in local and state leaders, namely Bass and Newsom. In a post to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning, Mr. Trump said, "The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our ICE Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" More "No Kings" protests across Southern California Outside of downtown L.A., demonstrators gathered for other "No Kings" protests in 20 other neighborhoods and cities throughout the county. Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian thanked protesters for remaining peaceful. "As we conclude our demonstration, we thank the public for their peaceful assembly and cooperation. Please have a safe night," Derderian wrote. Protesters march across an intersection in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. KCAL News Protesters organized 22 other demonstrations throughout Ventura County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. The event organizers said the nationwide protest took place in more than 2,100 cities and towns and drew more than 5 million participants. "We don't do kings in this country. We do solidarity. We do community. We do justice—and we do it together," they said in a statement. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PHOTOS: Thousands gather for ‘No Kings' protests around St. Louis
ST. LOUIS – Thousands of people gathered for several 'No Kings' protests Saturday across the St. Louis region. The protests follow recent unrest over actions and political stances of U.S. President Donald Trump. On Saturday, FOX 2 spotted large crowds for 'No Kings' protests in Downtown St. Louis near Kiener Plaza, west St. Louis County near Manchester Road and south St. Louis County near Lindbergh Boulevard. There were similar protests also planned in St. Peters, Franklin County and the Metro East. The 'No Kings' protests were held at various times, some in the morning and others in the afternoon. The rallies may have caused various traffic slowdowns or delays in the St. Louis region. The 'No Kings' rallies were organized in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, including cities, towns, and community spaces. These protests followed recent unrest over federal immigration raids and Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles. Check out FOX 2's photo gallery of Saturday's St. Louis-area 'No Kings' protests in this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
